Conflict-Flip the Script

Conflict-Flip the Script

Organizations and individuals use different strategies to deal with conflicts that occur in different settings. They can apply constructive or destructive methods. Destructive methods have negative outcomes, while the negative ones lead to positive results. This paper will present constructive and destructive scrip and their revised versions.

Constructive Way of Dealing with a Conflict

The episode “Conflict example” is part of the TV episodes The Office. It involves a complicit between an employee and his boss.

(Stanley exchanges words with his boss in a group meeting)

Boss: How are we going to energize our office? Stanley, are you going to help us with that?

(Stanley refuses to respond to the question, even after being called by the boss)

The boss: Stanly, we are having a brainstorm session.

(Stanley raises his voice and the meeting ends)

(The boss is visited by one employee trying to convince him to do something about his conflict with Stanley. The boss and other employees play with Stanley’s mind pretending that he has been fired)

Boss: Stanley, may I talk to you for a second. (Timing the conflict effectively)

(Stanley stands and looks at his boss in the eyes)

Boss: Stanley Hudson you are fired.

(Stanley looks around in silence)

Stanley: Are you serious?

Boss: I am serious. We are all serious.

Stanley: You fire me over three words. Have you lost your mind? Do you think I am gonna let you do this to me? I have watched you screw this office for 10 years and I am going to file a law suit and I am gonna tell them about every stupid thing you have done in this office.

(The conversation between Stanley and the boss continues and the boss orders other employees to get out of the office to have a chat with Stanley)

Boss: Why do you keep on picking on me? I do not know why. Please help me understand (Honoring self and the relationship).

Stanley: Here it is. You are a person that I do not respect.

(Stanley continues to explain why he does not like his boss).

Boss: Stanley maybe you’re feeling that you don’t respect me because you do not know me (Aiming at win-win conflict)

Stanley: I have known you for a long time and the more I know you, the less I have come to respect you.

Boss: All right, you don’t respect me. I accept that (showing grace and letting go when appropriate).

(Stanley talks calmly to his boss during the next meeting) (Maduri, 2015).

Revised Version to Deal with the Conflict in a Destructive Way

(The script would remain the same up to a point where the boss orders other employees get out for him to chat with Stanley. Employees will not be let out of the office in the destructive version)

Boss: Stanley. I demand to know why you keep on picking on me (Poor timing).

Stanley: Because I do not like you (no honoring self, other, and relations).

Boss: I do not care whether you like me. But I demand respect. Remember, I am your boss (Not aiming at win-win conflict)

Stanley: You want respect. You better forget it.

Boss: You cannot respect me? You are fired! (Not willing to let go when appropriate).

Destructive Conflict Resolution

The